News Update
Feb. 3, 2010

Don’t Delay Assisting at Calving Says Livestock Specialist

Cow-calf farmers should be arranging their schedules in the next couple of months to devote more time to their cow herds. This is especially true for those who calve in late winter-early spring.

“The expected, favorable cattle prices throughout 2011 and beyond should make every calf saved a big plus for the bottom line,” said Eldon Cole, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension.

Close observation, especially of first-calf heifers, should be a must. It is impossible to be with the herd 24-7 but frequent checks will pay off with more live calves on the ground.

The use of low-birthweight, calving ease bulls helps save calves from heifers and even cows sometimes.

“Remember those heifers usually have shorter gestation periods and their calves typically arrive five days or so ahead of schedule. For this reason, check the calving pasture closely as you can find an early surprise,” said Cole.

Research has shown that early intervention in the calving process helps save calves and assures earlier breed back.

“Guidelines from Oklahoma State show that if a heifer is not making significant progress one hour after the appearance of the water bag or feet examine her to see if you can provide assistance,” said Cole.

Mature cows should only be watched 30 minutes before assisting. If in either case you cannot deliver the calf, seek assistance from a veterinarian.

Cole says assisted calves often are weak and a little slow in getting up. Drying them off, getting them warmed up and making sure they receive colostrum as soon as possible will help them off to a good start.

“Remember the effort involved in saving the calf helps pay the $500 to $700 cost per year of owning and caring for the average beef cow. Dead calves don’t pay back very much,” said Cole.

For more information, contact any of the MU Extension livestock specialists in southwest Missouri: Eldon Cole in Mount Vernon, 417-466-3102 or Dona Goede in Cedar County, 417-276-3313.

— Release by MU Extension.

Unusually Cold Temperatures Blast Across Texas

Stockmen in Texas are not accustomed to sub-zero wind chills and neither are their livestock. A fifty degree temperature change in less than 24 hours is difficult to prepare for.

A dry fall and early winter across much of Texas has reduced both forage quantity and quality and in some cases has exhausted surface water resources. As a result, stockmen need to go the extra mile while caring for livestock.

Primary consideration should be given to the livestock at greatest risk — the old, newborns and those in thin condition. With their winter haircoat and shelter from the north wind, most livestock can fare well. However, a wet haircoat provides little insulation against the cold. Animals in thin flesh and newborns have minimal fat [insulation] under their skin and are especially vulnerable. Move livestock to easily accessible pastures that contain shelter from the wind (and precipitation if possible).

Adequate water intake is essential for survival during these times. Break and remove ice from troughs, allowing refilling with relatively warm water. If warranted, call livestock to fresh water with feed or hay.

If forage is in short supply or covered with snow/ice, provide enough hay for cattle, sheep and goats to eat their fill at least once a day. Forage digestion will generate heat, so if possible, feed livestock in the late afternoon to take advantage of this ‘internal heat’ during the colder nighttime temperatures.

Colic is a winter health concern for horse owners. Grazing horses are less susceptible than those kept in stalls. Feed extra long stem hay. Where feasible, if possible, feed twice daily.
Adult horses will drink 10+ gallons of water daily. Maintaining water intake is a critical component of colic avoidance and essential for proper digestive function. Exercise is also beneficial, whether it’s a romp around the outside paddock or a 30-minute walk inside the barn.

— Release by Texas Agrilife Extension.

Temple Grandin Discusses Animal Welfare at LSU School of Veterinary Medicine

Temple Grandin is a professor of animal science at Colorado State University. She is also an accomplished author and speaker. She was diagnosed with autism in 1950, and her parents were told she should be institutionalized. Her incredible story is told in her book Emergence: Labeled Autistic, and her life was brought to the screen in the HBO full-length film, Temple Grandin.

Grandin was the featured speaker at the Dean’s Grand Rounds at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine (SVM) on Wednesday, Jan. 26. Her presentation was entitled, “Animals and Autism.” Members of the LSU community were invited to attend. She discussed proper handling of large animals and how her autism helps her understand how animals think.

While in Baton Rouge, Grandin also gave two lectures as part of the LSU SVM’s farm animal curriculum on livestock behavior, stress, and handling, and she met with the Farm Animal Medicine Club to discuss livestock welfare, husbandry, and handling.

Grandin’s current bestselling book on autism is The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger’s. She also authored Unwritten Rules of Social Relationships, Animals Make us Human, Animals in Translation, Thinking in Pictures, and produced several DVDs. Books will be available for purchase after the Dean’s Grand Rounds presentation.

— Release by LSU Extension.

Registration Open for AMIF Conference on Worker Safety, Human Resources and the Environment

Registration is open for the American Meat Institute Foundation (AMIF) Conference on Worker Safety, Human Resources and the Environment, scheduled for March 9-10, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center, Kansas City, Mo.

This year’s conference will feature a number of concurrent education sessions on worker safety, human resources and environmental issues.

AMI will be presenting the Environmental Achievement Awards, the Environmental Recognition Awards and the Worker Safety Awards during an awards ceremony and reception on the evening of March 9.

In addition, a new preconference workshop on electrical safety is scheduled March 8 to offer attendees more value at a single conference. This one-day course is designed to train employers, management and supervisors about electrical safety that includes arc flash/blast protection for maintenance operations in an industrial or commercial environment. The course will discuss Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, NFPA 70E, best practices and related electrical hazards. The course will be presented from a non-electricians/non-engineers perspective.

Registration fees for those registering before Feb. 16, 2011, are $475 for AMI members, $825 for non-members and $415 each when three or more members register together. After Feb. 16, registration rates increase to $525 for AMI members, $825 for non-members, and $465 each when three or more members register together. A registration fee for the preconference workshop is $75.

For more information, registration and ongoing updates, visit the Events/Education section of www.meatami.com/.

— Release by AMI.

— Compiled by Mathew Elliott, assistant editor, Angus Productions Inc.